Category: Church

Is the book of Hebrews just for Jews? (verses included)

Is the book of Hebrews just for Jews

I’ve heard in your videos you reference Hebrews 10:26, a truly terrifying passage. Sometimes I still stumble backwards into sin, and at times it seems like I’ll never get out. So, is Hebrews 10:26 just for the Jews, or for us too? Some people say it was written to a certain group of Jews but I don’t know if I believe that. What are your thoughts?

Brother, you contacted me in order to help you stop sinning. Did you reject the truth before that point? Lets take another look at this passage.

Hebrews 10:26-31
26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”   31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. NKJV
 

At what point did you “receive the knowledge of the truth” as it is mentioned in verse 26 above, and then reject it? I can’t find but just a few people even willing to hear the truth in this country, much less preach it. Are you telling me that you have heard the things we have covered so far, and have rejected them? I think not. The people who told you that Hebrews is only for the Jews have rejected it, but not you.

That passage of scripture has caused in you what it should cause in every Christian; the fear of God, which is used to perfect holiness.

2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. NKJV
 

You’ve probably heard that “all fear is of the devil.” That’s a lie. The truth is that all churches should be living in the fear of the Lord, but most have rejected that too, and they will receive their due unless they repent.

Acts 9:31
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. NKJV
 
1 Peter 1:17-19
17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. NKJV
 

Many are quick to say that “perfect love cast out fear,” in keeping with 1 John 4:18, but they have no idea that this passage is speaking about our love being perfected, and not God’s love for us. Get this. Only those who “keep the Word” have the love of God perfected in them (verse:5 below). So, how can we say that love has been perfected in us, and has cast out our fear, if we not only “do not keep the Word of God,” but also reject parts of it?

1 John 2:3-10
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.   8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. NKJV
 

The person who “loves” is also the person who has “no cause for stumbling in himself” (verse 10 above). Now look at the passage below, which is out of the same book (1 John), and notice who he is talking about that has not yet been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:17-21
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. NKJV
 

So, yes continue to read Hebrews and every other book in the New Testament, because the fear that the verses place in us is exactly what we need in order to complete the course. Check this passage out, which again is out of the same book (1 John).

1 John 3:4-9
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. NKJV
 

Can we continue in sin and say that we know Jesus according to verse 6 above? Read it again. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Now, you can see why it is so ludicrous to think that if a Christian ignores the book of Hebrews, that everything will just be okay in the end. No, it won’t.

Those who ignore Hebrews and teach others to do so, have to ignore many other passages of scripture that do not fit the doctrine they have come to believe.  They have rejected the Word of God, and so they will not make it my friend, unless they repent.

Take a look at this, and ask yourself will anyone who does not come to know Jesus make it (Matthew 7:21-23)?

Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me,’Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ NKJV
 

If we believe and trust Jesus Christ, then we believe that we must come to know Him or we won’t make it, according to what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, and Luke 13:22-28.

How do we come to know Jesus? I was told that as soon as we ask Him into our hearts we know Him, but what does the Word of God say?

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by alan ballou

Is there one seasoned church left?

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Why is the church full of people who know that Jesus ate with sinners, but they have no knowledge of verses like John 7:7 (below)? It’s not being taught.

John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. NKJV

Make no mistake Jesus ate with sinners, but He also called those sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” NKJV

Yes, Jesus came to save sinners, but He also came to redeem us from “every” lawless deed (Titus 2:13-14 below), and destroy the devil’s work in us (1 John 3:8 below).

Titus 2:13-14 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. NKJV

1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. NKJV

If all you ever hear is that Jesus loves you so much, and He ate with sinners, and He came to save sinners, then you have missed the two verses above which also describe “why Jesus came.” Therefore, you cannot possibly see the big picture, and your testimony about Jesus will be one-sided.

You’ve attended church services, watched it on TV, and heard it on the radio for the past five, ten, twenty, and in some cases fifty years, so answer this question. Is there anyone left who preaches all of the reasons why Jesus came?

We are quick to say Jesus loves us so much, but even among those who hold to some of the unpopular doctrines clearly written in anyone’s Bible, there are none left who preach every Word of God. Therefore, what used to be called church 100 years ago is clearly on its way out and will be none existent in the next few decades.

What’s the biggest problem; no salt. Our conversation should always be with grace, mixed or seasoned with salt; never without it.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. NKJV

What happens when our conversation is not seasoned with salt? It is good for nothing.

Matthew 5:13  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. NKJV

Luke 14:34-35  “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” NKJV (more…)

by alan ballou

They unknowingly follow deceiving spirits

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She said, “It was such a spirit filled service today.” Is that because it felt good, or maybe it was different? Can the service be Spirit filled without truth?

Can Christians tell the difference between being led by the Holy Spirit, and being led by deceiving spirits? They could if they knew the truth.

The Holy Spirit leads us into “all truth” (John 16:13). He is even known as the Spirit of truth (John 16:13, 15:26, 14:17), and the Word of God itself is Spirit (John 6.63), and truth (John 17:17).  Check the verses.

Deceiving spirits only use part truths, mixed with lies. Such was the case when the devil quoted scripture in an attempt to get Jesus to violate other scriptures (Matthew 4:5). That same trick is being used today in most churches. Let me show you.

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by alan ballou

The church across the street is full of false doctrines, what to do?

Lake lights

 

The church across the street is full of false doctrines, what to do? by alan ballou

We are in the last days, and in the last days people are supposed to be following false teachers, and false doctrines, because it is written that they will (1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1-3), and they will not put up with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:1-4).

Everything is happening just as it is written that it will happen. So the first thing to do is not let it shock you. There is no fixing what God has already said is going to happen in His Word. It’s going to happen (1 Peter 1:25). Just don’t let it happen to you!

Read the following passage of scripture and know that God is still in control.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12  The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. NKJV

If God sends them a strong delusion because they do not love the truth, who is going to stop God (verse 11 above)? The only way for it to change is for the people to repent, and accept the Word of God as truth, to the point of loving the truth.

The second thing to do is to make sure that your church loves the truth before you look across the street to judge that church, since with the same measure we use, we will be judged (Matthew 7:1-2).

Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged.  2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. NKJV

Also, before you set out to help them know that we have to get the plank out of our eye before we can help our Brother with his speck (Matthew 7:3-5). Until then, our instructions are, “don’t look.”

Matthew 7:3-5  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. NKJV

Check the verses below from your version of the Bible to make sure that your church is not filled with false teachers too before you judge the church across the street.

What would be the difference in one church ignoring certain passages of scripture, and a church across the street that ignores a different set of scriptures?  Nothing, except the one that judges the other is full of hypocrites. So, read the following scriptures to make sure that you won’t be a hypocrite when you judge them.

If God’s Word isn’t welcomed at either church, how is God welcome in either of them? If God’s Word isn’t welcomed, how is His Holy Spirit welcome? The Word is Spirit (John 6:63). If God’s Word isn’t welcomed, how is His Son welcome?

John 15:1-6 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. NKJV

That’s the doctrine of abiding in Jesus Christ. Our instructions tell us that if someone comes to us and does not bring that doctrine, we should not even welcome them according to 2 John 1:9-11. Those who welcome them share in their wicked work.

Someone has led us to believe that if Jesus Himself was the guest speaker this Sunday morning that He would not mention His own doctrine of abiding (John 15:1-6), for the sake of those who would walk out if we preached it. However, did Jesus run after those who walked off in John 6:60-69? No, He turned to those remaining and asked if they wanted to go too!

Is God’s Word welcome in your church, or is the wickedness of others welcomed above God? If God’s Word is welcomed, go ahead and warn the church across the street in keeping with Colossians 3:16. The Apostle Paul warned every man (Colossians 1:28). (more…)

by alan ballou

There are two types of Christians

People walking by Alan Ballou

There are two types of Christians. By alan ballou.

The Bible describes two types of Christians that grow together today; believers, and unbelievers. I know that most of you consider an unbeliever to be someone who has nothing to do with church, but the type of unbeliever I’m talking about does attend church, and grows right alongside you (Matthew 13:28-30).

Jesus makes it clear in the following verses that there will be people who hear His Words, but do not believe them.

John 12:47-48  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.  NKJV

Notice that Jesus does not judge those who do not believe His Words, but the Word itself, that they refused to receive, will judge them on the last day. The opposite is true for those who hear His Word and believe according to the following verses.

John 5:24  “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. NKJV

Now you can see the difference between the two groups of Christians. As I have mentioned, one group believes, and the other group doesn’t believe the Word of God. I say the Word of God because Jesus spoke the Word of God (John 12:49, below), and so did His disciples (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16).

John 12:49  For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. NKJV

Every Christian can be identified by their fruits, which includes the things we say, as well as the things we do (Matthew 7:16-20, 12:33-37). However, both groups are considered disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the verses below.

In the passage below, Jesus identifies a group of His disciples, who “no longer followed Him,” because they did not accept His teachings. They followed Him up and to a point, but stopped after they heard something that they didn’t like. The same is true today.

John 6:60-66  Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?  62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. NKJV

In verse 66 above, many disciples of Jesus stopped following Him. They had a problem with something that He said (verse 60 above), and so they did not believe (verse 64 above).

Jesus explained to them that His Words are both Spirit, and life (verse 63 above). However, they did not accept His Words, and so they did not continue walking with Him (verse 66 above).

They obviously believed at some point, since they were disciples, but they did not accept what He had to say. Therefore, Jesus has become a rock of offense to them, and after falling away completely, the Word that they reject will judge them at the last day.

Romans 9:33  As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” NKJV

One of the biggest things that I don’t think many Christians realize today is that those who do not believe cannot receive (James 1:5-7). Our ability to do anything spiritually is from the Lord, which includes our ability to stop sinning. When we reject God’s Word, we reject God’s power, which is contained in His Word (Romans 1:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Acts 20:32).

Notice in verse 8 below that the people stumble because they disobey the message. Think about that for a moment. How many Christians associate their unwillingness to do what God’s Word says with their inability to stop sinning?

If we believe God’s Word, we are going to put it into practice, just as Noah believed God and built the ark (Hebrews 11:7). Believing and doing go hand in hand.

1 Peter 2:7-9  Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”  8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; NKJV

According to verse 8 above, some people are appointed to disobey the message. Those who are appointed to eternal life, believe the message.

Acts 13:48  Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. NKJV

Those who reject the message, are also the ones who are disobedient (verse 8 above). Only those who believe the message will continue to receive what all Christians need in order to obey the message, which is more grace. (more…)

by alan ballou